Graciano Brito Invited To 2009 Adidas Major League Soccer Player Combine

Dec 11, 2008

HAMDEN,
Conn.  Two-time Northeast Conference Player of the Year
Graciano Brito (Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde) of the Quinnipiac
University men's soccer team has been invited to participate in the
Adidas Major League Soccer Player Combine. Brito was one of just 65
Division I seniors invited to take part in the five-day combine
from Jan. 9-13 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Scouts and management from
all 15 MLS teams will be present assessing talent for the 2009 MLS
SuperDraft on Jan. 15 in St. Louis, Mo.

Of
the 58 players selected in last year's MLS SuperDraft, 43
participated in the combine, 12 of whom were picked in the first
round. Brito is coming off his second consecutive season as being
selected the NEC Player of the Year, becoming just the fifth player
in conference history to win the award in back-to-back seasons. The
senior forward led the conference in goals (18), goals per game
(1.0), points (39) and points per game (2.17), while leading the
nation in goals per game and points per game this
season.

Brito's
four Brine/NEC Player of the Week awards were the most in the
conference this year and gave him seven over the course his career
at Quinnipiac. Brito's 18th goal of the season set two program
Division I single-season records. He now holds the mark for most
goals and points, breaking the previous figure held by Everson
Maciel in the 2001 season. Earlier in the year, Brito set the
program's Division I career record for goals and points. In four
years at Quinnipiac, Brito has amassed 40 goals and 92
points.

Joining
Brito at the MLS Combine will be eight semifinalists for the 2008
Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, college soccer's equivalent
of the Heisman Trophy. Players will be divided into four teams and
compete against one another over three days at Lockhart
Stadium.

"This
is a tremendous opportunity for Graciano and yet another sign of
how far our program has come," said Head Coach Eric Da Costa. "It
is great to see the players in our program receiving recognition
for being amongst the nation's very best. Graciano has worked very
hard for this opportunity. His teammates and coaches are extremely
proud of him and we wish him the very best."